A LIVING HELL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 18

A LIVING HELL

CONDITION OF THE GARRISON. MANY HOSPITALS DESTROYED. FIFTEEN THOUSAND WOUNDED. DEFENDERS REDUCED TO FIVE THOUSAND EFFECTIVES. LONDON, January 3. Escapees from Port Arthur describe that place as a living hell. Many of the hospitals have been destroyed, and there are fifteen thousand wounded. Many lay amongst debris in the cold streets. Some became delirious, and returned to the front, hurling stones and defying the enemy until they were captured or .hilled. Only five thousand able-bodied convalescents manned the forts. LONDON, January 3. R ussian officers who have arrived at Chefoo declare that for five days and nights the Japanese bombarded and assaulted incessantly. The horrors of the scene defy description. There was not a spot cafe from the enemy’s shrapnel. Finding the situation hopeless, General Stoessel called a Grand Council of War. The meeting was pathetic. The offi-

] cers, overcome with emotion, decided I to accept honourable terms, or die fighting. It is believed in Tokio that the Rus--1 sian officers will be allowed to return home on parole, retaining their arms. It is thought possible the soldiers also may be released on parole. SURROUNDED FOR FIVE DAYS. STUBBORN RESISTANCE TO THE LAST. LONDON, January 3. The Commissioners representing Russia and Japan signed the terms of sur- { render of the Port Arthur garrison last ! night. j The Port Arthur correspondent of j the “Daily Mail,” commenting on the close of the Port Arthur siege, says the end came with dramatic suddenness. For five days the fortress was sur- | rounded, and there was an unceasing hail of fire. Assaults on the eastern side were renewed on Saturday evening with amazing vehemence, and were persisted in all that night. | The Russians resisted stubbornly, but j were overweighted and slowly driven i hack, leaving the town open to attack. On Sunday morning Wantai was stormed, after six hours’ bloody struggle. Then many Russians surrendered, and began to blow up their magazine and warships. Some say the efficients of the garrison numbered only four thousand. There were eighteen thousand wounded and sick. Wounds were bound up with hemp, owing to the scarcity of bandages. The condition of the men was miserable in the extreme. The surrender did not surprise London diplomatists, who were aware that General Stoessel had reported at the end of October that his guns were wearing out, apd that ammunition was short. The wasting of men through, increased sickness and the deficiency of food indicated that the garrison was unable to resist much longer.

Diplomatists fear the surrender will not make for peace. There is a consensus of opinion abroad that the release of General Nogi’s three divisions of veterans will formidably increase General Kouropatkin’s difficulties in Manchuria.

STOESSEL RELUCTANT TO SURRENDER.

General Stoessel on Sunday still wanted to fight, and to keep his promise to the Czar not to surrender. His generals, however, replied that it was impossible to continue. Men went to sleep while standing at their posts.

DESPATCH FROM STOESSEL.

THE POSITION A WEEK AGO

LONDON, January 4

General Stoessel sent' a despatch to the' Russian War Office on December 28th, in which he stated that the position was becoming very painful owing to the rapid spread of scurvy and the ter rib he, bombardment.

Eleven-inch shells were mowing down the garrison, and scarcity of ammunition prevented the Russians replying to the shells, Avhich, out of revenge, were directed principally against the hospitals and ambulances.

The losses of superior officers, General Stoessel states, were enormous.

Of ten generals two were killed and one died of disease, while two, including himself, were wounded, and another was suffering from contusions. Of nine regimental commanders two were killed, two died of wounds, auid four wore wounded.

Many companies were commanded by ensigns.

The average strength of the companies was only sixty.

Fourteen thousand sick and wounded were in the hospitals, and the number

was increasing at the rate of three hundred daily. Only ten thousand were under arms, and they were all ill. General Stoessel declared that he was only able to resist a few days longer. DESTRUCTION BY THE RUSSIANS. LONDON, January 4. The “Daily Mail’s Port Arthur correspondent reports that prior to, during, and subsequent to the surrender, the Russians blew up or burned buildings, ships, arsenals and supplies. The correspondent states that' the Japanese at first insisted on unconditional surrender, but this the Russians refused. Naval men in Japan admit- that General Stoessel was justified in blowing up the ships.